Tag: Indianapolis 500

Penske Fires Cindric, Ruzewski, Moyer

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Editor’s note: The following is from the NTT IndyCar Series. I will have comments later today.

Team Penske Parts Company with Three Members of Management

INDYCAR

INDYCAR.com

Editorial Staff

1 HOUR AGO

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Team Penske parted company May 21 with Team President Tim Cindric, INDYCAR Managing Director Ron Ruzewski and INDYCAR General Manager Kyle Moyer from the organization after two of the team’s entries were found in violation of INDYCAR rules last weekend.

“Nothing is more important than the integrity of our sport and our race teams,” Roger Penske said. “We have had organizational failures during the last two years, and we had to make necessary changes. I apologize to our fans, our partners and our organization for letting them down.”

The team’s No. 2 and No. 12 cars did not make an attempt Sunday during the Top 12 Qualifying session for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge because they were found in pre-qualifying technical inspection to be in violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16, an unapproved body fit on the rear attenuator of the car. Those entries were moved to the rear of the field, starting 32nd and 33rd, respectively, for the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, and each entry was fined $100,000 by INDYCAR.

Last year at the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida, Team Penske was in violation of the two “Push to Pass” parameters, INDYCAR Rule 14.19.15 and 14.19.16. The team’s No. 2 and No. 3 entries were disqualified from that event, and its No. 12 entry received a 10-point penalty.

A team statement said further announcements will be made this week related to personnel and replacements for the Indianapolis 500.

Cindric joined Team Penske at the end of the 1999 INDYCAR SERIES season as the president of Penske Racing Inc. He was elevated to the role of president of Penske Performance in 2005.

Ruzewski came to the team at the start of the 2005 INDYCAR SERIES season. He was named managing director before the 2019 season after serving as the team’s technical director.

Moyer joined Team Penske before the 2015 INDYCAR SERIES season. He moved into the role as general manager for Team Penske’s INDYCAR SERIES program in 2019.

The Buzz is Back

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Have you noticed it, too? This year it’s palpable. It’s everywhere- in media, on signs, and decorations-all over the area. The 500 “buzz”, which has been muted or totally missing for the past few years, is finally back.

Four years ago I wrote a column wondering where the noise around the Indianapolis 500 had gone in the metro area. Race anticipation was muted. The 500 got only slightly more attention than a concert at deer Creek or Clowes Hall. 2025 is very different.

In 2025 talk of the 500 is ubiquitous. Television and radio stations mention the race and IMS daily, and with longer segments than I have seen the past few years. I have noticed more signage in businesses and more decorations on private homes this year as well. A median on East 86th Street between College Avenue and Meridian Street has a population of a dozen checkered flags.

Even before the Team Penske debacle of qualifying weekend, I sensed more national attention concerning the race. There is no bad publicity is a phrase that comes to mind.

I have noticed an uptick of enthusiasm at IMS, too. Over qualifying weekend, and I am including Fast Friday as part of qualifying weekend, attendance was noticeably higher, but that is just part of the upturn. I noticed that fans wore more driver, team, and IndyCar gear than I have seen in a while. I did not notice any NASCAR or F1 shirts worn by anyone,

Reserved seats have sold out a week before the race. It is the first grandstand sellout since 2016. In 2024, IMNS was on track to sell out the stands, but an unfavorable race day forecast slowed sales.

What I am seeing this May reminds of Mays in the 60s, 70,s and 80s when the race was front and center from May1 until the day after the race. While the vibe still isn’t at that level, the 2025 feeling is as close to those days as it has been in quite a long time.

I remember on Carb Day in 2008 a local afternoon radio sports talk show did not mention the race once during their three hour time slot. We have come a a long way since then.

I hope this year is a baseline for a return to the time when the 500 is the biggest topic in Indianapolis for the month of May.

2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Field Notes 

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From IMS:
 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 20, 2025) – Facts and figures about the starting field for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Robert Shwartzman earned his first career Indianapolis 500 pole. Shwartzman, born in Tel Aviv, Israel, is the first Israel native to compete in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Robert Shwartzman is the first rookie to win the pole since Teo Fabi in 1983. Tony Stewart started from the pole in 1996. He qualified second but moved to the pole position after his teammate Scott Brayton suffered fatal injuries in a crash during post-qualifying practice.
Robert Shwartzman is the third rookie to win the pole on track. The others: Walt Faulkner (1950), Teo Fabi (1983). Lewis Strang started from the pole for the inaugural “500” in 1911 when starting position was determined by entry postmark date. Jean Chassagne started from the pole in 1914 when starting position was determined by a draw.
Tony Stewart started from the pole in 1996 after pole winner Scott Brayton suffered fatal injuries in a crash in practice.This is the first time car No. 83 has won the Indianapolis 500 pole.The field average speed of 231.207 mph is the third fastest in history. The fastest is 232.184 in 2023, followed by 231.943 in 2024.The deepest starting position for a race winner is 28th, by Ray Harroun in 1911 and Louis Meyer in 1936.
Two-time reigning winner Josef Newgarden is starting 32nd this year.There are eight former Indianapolis 500 winners in the starting field: Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), Scott Dixon (2008), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Alexander Rossi (2016), Takuma Sato (2017, 2020), Will Power (2018), Marcus Ericsson (2022), Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024). Between them, they have 13 victories.
The record for most former winners in the field is 10, in 1992. The fewest, other than the inaugural race in 1911, is zero in 1912, 1913, 1915 and 1916.
There are three rookies in the field: Robert Shwartzman (starting first), Louis Foster (20th), Nolan Siegel (24th). There were six rookies in the 2024 field. The last race with fewer than three rookies was 2021 (Scott McLaughlin, Pietro Fittipaldi).Other than the three rookies, David Malukas, Devlin DeFrancesco and Jack Harvey are the drivers in the field who didn’t start the race in 2024. All three made their last start in 2023.
Helio Castroneves is the most experienced driver in the field, with 24 previous Indianapolis 500 starts. The record is 35, set in consecutive years from 1958-1992 by A.J. Foyt.
Scott Dixon has led 677 career laps in the Indianapolis 500, the all-time event record. The only other driver in the field who has led more than 200 laps is Helio Castroneves (326).
The oldest driver in the starting field is Helio Castroneves, 50 years, 15 days on Race Day. The youngest driver is Nolan Siegel, 20 years, 197 days. A.J. Foyt is the oldest driver to start the Indianapolis 500. He was 57 years, 128 days old when he made his last start in 1992. A.J. Foyt IV is the youngest driver to start the Indianapolis 500. His 19th birthday was on Race Day, 2003.
Helio Castroneves and Takuma Sato will be older on Race Day than Al Unser when he became the oldest winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1987 at age 47 years, 360 days old. Castroneves will be 50 years, 15 days old on Race Day; Sato 48 years, 117 days.
Helio Castroneves will become the 15th driver age 50 or older to start the Indianapolis 500. The others: Mario Andretti, Cliff Bergere, Gary Bettenhausen, Duane Carter, A.J. Foyt, Ralph Hepburn, Gordon Johncock, Jim McElreath, Danny Ongais, Johnny Rutherford, Johnny Parsons, Lyn St. James, Dick Simon, Al Unser.
Helio Castroneves will be the first driver age 50 or older to start in the Indianapolis 500 since Lyn St. James in 2000.
Nolan Siegel, Kyffin Simpson and Louis Foster will be younger on Race Day than Troy Ruttman when he became the youngest winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1952 at age 22 years, 80 days old. Siegel will be 20 years, 197 days old on Race Day; Simpson 20 years, 228 days; Foster 21 years, 302 days.
Twenty-five different drivers in this year’s field have led a total of 2,575 laps in previous Indianapolis 500s.There are a combined 253 previous Indianapolis 500 starts among the 33 drivers in this year’s field. The record is 260 years of experience, set in 1987 and 1992. There were 222 years of combined experience in last year’s field.
The most-experienced row in this year’s starting lineup is Row 10, with a combined 37 career starts (Graham Rahal 17, Marco Andretti 19, Marcus Armstrong 1). The least-experienced row is Row 7, with four combined career starts (Kyle Larson 1, Louis Foster 0, Callum Ilott 3).There are eight former Indianapolis 500 Rookies of the Year in this year’s field: Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Santino Ferrucci, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Kyle Larson, Scott McLaughlin, Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi. The record is nine, in 1991 and 2021.

It’s Official – Indy 500 Grandstand SeatsAre Sold Out 

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From IMS:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 20, 2025) – The cavernous grandstands across the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be filled for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25. All reserved seats, including those in the grandstands and suites, are officially sold out.
“As promised, the very best fans in sports have delivered in fitting fashion for the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and every last reserved seat ticket has been sold,” INDYCAR and IMS president J. Douglas Boles said. “Approximately 350,000 people will experience the ultimate spectacle that is the Indy 500 in person as everyone turns their focus to the Racing Capital of the World on Sunday.
”Fans wishing to join the massive and historic crowd still have the following options:Race Day General Admission tickets in the IMS infield are available via IMS.com, by calling 317-492-6700 or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office.
Limited reserved seat tickets are still available on the IMS Official Resale Marketplace through Wednesday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The Resale Marketplace closes to allow sufficient time for transfer and delivery of these tickets to purchasers on the secondary market.
Tickets remain available for Miller Lite Carb Day and Legends Day presented by Firestone. Coors Light Snake Pit wristbands also remain available for purchase in conjunction with an Indy 500 General Admission ticket.
The stage is set for a monumental and historic Race Day as the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES chase racing’s biggest prize. This is also the very first Indy 500 on FOX, with the local broadcast delay lifted given the grandstand sellout milestone. Expanded coverage on FOX starts at 10 a.m. ET Sunday, May 25 across the country, with the green flag set for approximately 12:45 p.m. ET. 

Oscar Mayer’s Fleet of Wienermobiles Go Head-to-Head in Inaugural ‘Wienie 500’ 

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Editor’s note: All the hot dogs won’t be in the 500.

From IMS:

 Hot dog fans across the country can get in on the action of unforgettable race in free-to-play pool on DraftKingsI

NDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 20, 2025) – Oscar Mayer announces today the “Wienie 500” – a first-of-its-kind spectacle where the fleet of Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a race unlike any other. Ahead of this year’s Indianapolis 500, which draws more than 330,000 fans who consume nearly 30,000 hot dogs, Oscar Mayer’s beloved Hotdoggers will make their racing debut on the very same track as the pros. The race will be streamed live on Friday, May 23 at 2 p.m. ET on the FOX Sports app and across @INDYCARonFOX social accounts, and fans can catch highlights from the race during Sunday’s Indy 500 pre-race show on FOX.
The Wienie 500 will also mark the first “meat-up” of all six Wienermobiles in over a decade and the first competitive race for the fleet, each sporting an all-new look. Each Wienermobile will represent a different regional dog, including the Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Slaw Dog (Southeast), Sonoran Dog (Southwest), Chili Dog (South) and Seattle Dog (Northwest). From custom Hotdogger racing suits to a trophy presentation in the ‘Wiener’s Circle’, complete with a condiment spray and hot dog for the wiener’s enjoyment, every moment of the race is designed to spark smiles, serving up a delightful racing event only Oscar Mayer can.
“The Indy 500 marks the unofficial kickoff of summer and the start of hot dog season,” said Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer. “As a brand known for sparking smiles in disarmingly delightful ways, it’s only fitting that we bring a race of epic proportions to the Speedway and celebrate a timeless tradition: delicious meats and a little friendly competition to kick off a summer of wieners.”
As part of the fun, Oscar Mayer is inviting fans across the nation to get in on the action. In collaboration with DraftKings, fans can predict the outcome of the unforgettable race by answering a series of race-related questions. Beginning today, fans can head to Draftkings.com/wienie500 to enter the free-to-play pool, and those who rack up the most points will win a share of the total cash prize of $10,000.
The inaugural Wienie 500 marks the beginning of a summer of celebrating the American staple, proving that even the most unexpected places – like a professional racetrack – is the perfect setting for an Oscar Mayer wiener. The Wienie 500 is part of a partnership between Oscar Mayer and IMS that names Oscar Mayer the “Official Hot Dog” of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. The first-of-its-kind race is also supported by an advertising campaign rolling out across the country, along with more surprises to come this summer.
To learn more about the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 and see the ultimate wiener crowned, visit OscarMayer.com and follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.

INDYCAR Update on Team Penske Technical Violations 

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Hang onto your hats, folks.
 INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 19, 2025) – Yesterday, INDYCAR’s focus was ensuring that the series had all the facts related to the discovery of the modified attenuators on the Team Penske entries of Nos. 2 and 12 to verify they were in violation of INDYCAR Rule 14.7.8.16.
After the series confirmed the technical infraction, by rule, the violating cars were placed in the last positions of the qualifying session for which they qualified.
Upon further review last night and early this morning, INDYCAR will be moving cars No. 2 and 12 to the 32nd and 33rd starting positions for this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. They will start in order based upon their qualifying times from Saturday.
“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the INDYCAR rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33; however, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”
Car No. 3 did not attempt to qualify Sunday in the Top 12 because of an accident in the earlier afternoon’s practice. Upon review of the car, and INDYCAR impounding the No. 3 attenuator, INDYCAR found that the car was in fact using a legal and unmodified attenuator. Therefore, car No. 3 will start in the 10th spot – the final spot of those who had qualified to participate in the Top 12.
Additionally, INDYCAR is suspending the team strategists for the Nos. 2 and 12 for the remainder of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, both cars will forfeit Indianapolis 500 qualification points and each entry has been fined $100,000.
Car Nos. 2 and 12 also will forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the remainder of the field has an opportunity to adjust accordingly.
“The positive momentum around the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis 500 has been on a steep crescendo over the last several months, and we want it to be clear that our intent is to maintain that momentum and discourage teams from putting INDYCAR in positions where it calls into the integrity of our officiating and the levelness of the playing field,” Boles said. “As we look to the remainder of the week and the race this weekend, we will do everything we can to make it clear that this is not only the best racing on the planet but racing where the best win under completely fair conditions.”

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

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The smile never left his face during the press conference. He seemed eerily calm considering that he had just rocked the IndyCar world.

Robert Shwartzman reflected on his pole winning run.

“I was just thinking in my dreams fantasizing, How will it feel
to take pole position in Indy 500? How is the vibe? Then I
was, like, Yeah, Robert, get back to reality. You have a
new car, new team, you are a rookie. How can you expect
to be in this position? It’s just in your dreams.
But still I was keeping that tiny dream deep inside like
maybe, maybe.”

It was am improbable result for a driver and team that quite honestly looked lost the first five races of the season and was near the bottom of the speed charts in Tuesday’s opening practice.

Shwartzman first saw the Indianapolis 500 while in Monaco during the F1 weekend.

“I was just as a kid, let’s say, just watching the Formula 1 race, and at the same time it was going the Indy 500 race. So, there was
my friends and sponsors, and they invited me to a yacht,
like the part of Monaco. I was just sitting there. It was no
Formula 1 running. It was actually after the race of
Formula 1. Normally Monaco is quite boring, as we know.
There is not many possibilities of overtaking. It’s more
quallie race for me.
Then we were just sitting there, and on the TV there was
Indy 500 race running there. Honestly I was just looking. It
was so much more exciting. I was just, like, Damn, until
last turn you don’t know who is going to win. I was being
like, Okay, this guy is fast, he’s going to win, and then all of
a sudden, no, he’s getting overtaken and then another guy
and another guy. The rotation is always changing.
That was the first member, Damn, this is amazing. This is
proper battle.”

On Shwartzman’s team is chief engineer Eric Leichtle, who was Josef Newgarden’s engineer in 2022, and Ryan Briscoe is his driver coach.

In answer to a question about the situation in Israel, his homeland, Shwartzman called for peace.

“I just want peace in the world. I want people to be good, and I don’t want the separation of countries saying this is bad country, this is
good country. There is no bad or good. We’re all human
beings. We just have to support each other and respect
each other.”

Any concerns I had about a rookie leading the field to green melted away with that statement. Shwartzman will be fine, and he has another dream to fulfill.

I will have a full qualification wrap up later today.

Shwartzman on Pole; Penske Disqualified

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I have witnessed many wild last days of qualifying, and May 18, 2025, will go down as one of the wildest. A rookie on pole for the first time in 42 years, a top team failing to get on track to try for the pole, a top contender crashing in practice made for a day of swirling emotions.

Robert Shwartzman, a rookie driver on a rookie team, will lead the field to the green flag next Sunday. He struggled to find speed the first three days of practice and was on most people’s list to be the bumped car.

The day began with Scott McLaughlin crashing heavily in turn two. The impact tore the left rear wheel off of the car and gouged the track. McLaughlin was cleared to drive, but the car would not be ready in time. to qualify.

Penske’s woes were not over. Josef Newgarden’s car failed tech and was excluded from qualifying. Will Power’s car was also withdrawn for the same issue. The teams had violated a rule by modifying the attenuator. They had filled in the seams. Team Penske will start in the fourth row. McLaughlin will start10th, Newgarden 11th, and Power 12th.

Shwartzman’s run to the fast 12, then the Fast Six, is an incredible tale. At the media availability after qualifying, Shwartzman said he dreamed of winning the pole, but then told himself to “get back to reality.”

Iwill have more on him tomorrow in my Qualifications wrap up. Thanks for following along this weekend.